Sound-based flame modulation system

ABSTRACT

A system may comprise a speaker in a speaker tube; a directional tube having a proximal end openly connected to the speaker tube; a first plate having an opening aligned with a distal end of the directional tube; a diaphragm in a spaced apart relationship with the first plate such that an air enclosure is formed between the diaphragm and the first plate, wherein the air enclosure, the directional tube, and the speaker tube cooperate to form a static-air space such that air pressure changes in the space produced by the at least one speaker move the diaphragm; a second plate in a spaced apart relationship with the diaphragm such that a gas enclosure is formed between the diaphragm and the second plate; wherein movement of the diaphragm moves gas in the gas enclosure through the second plate thereby modulating flames above the second plate when the gas is ignited.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/359,927, filed on Jul. 8, 2016, the entire contents of whichbeing hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

In the past, theatrical performances have used flames in conjunctionwith music to produce a dramatic effect. However, such theatrical flameeffects have required the use of a pre-recorded sequence of timedtriggers to coordinate the flames with the music or to punctuate themusic with the flames. These pre-recorded sequences are time consumingand expensive to create. Additionally, some past systems have placedsound systems dangerously close to the source of the flames or the fuelfor the flames. Since fuels such as propane and natural gas react tobutyl rubber, which is common in speaker construction, there is apotential for fire and or explosions when the gas is in direct contactwith the speakers.

Therefore, systems and methods are needed for more directly linkingsound with the levels and/or volume of flames of a fire, whiledecreasing the risk of damage to the source of the sound and decreasingthe risk of explosion.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods are disclosed to address the above problems,including a system comprising at least one speaker positioned in aspeaker tube and having a cone with a concave surface externallyorientated in relation to the speaker tube; at least one directionaltube having a proximal end openly connected to the speaker tube; a firstplate having an opening aligned with a distal end of the at least onedirectional tube; a diaphragm in a spaced apart relationship with thefirst plate such that an air enclosure is formed between the diaphragmand the first plate, wherein the air enclosure, the at least onedirectional tube, and the speaker tube cooperate to form a static-airspace such that air pressure changes in the static-air space produced bythe at least one speaker move the diaphragm; a second plate in a spacedapart relationship with the diaphragm such that a gas enclosure isformed between the diaphragm and the bottom of the second plate; and aone-way gas inlet port into the gas enclosure; wherein movement of thediaphragm moves gas in the gas enclosure through the through holes,thereby modulating flames above the top of the second plate when the gasfrom the through holes is ignited.

In one embodiment, a sound-based flame modulation system may comprise aspeaker tube having a first end and a second end; a speaker positionedat least partially in the speaker tube proximate to the first end andhaving a cone with a concave surface orientated externally from thespeaker tube; a directional tube having a proximal end and a distal end,the proximal end openly connected to the speaker tube between the firstend and the second end of the speaker tube; a first plate having anopening aligned with the distal end of the directional tube such that apassageway is formed through the first plate; a diaphragm in a spacedapart relationship with the first plate such that an air enclosure isformed between the diaphragm and the first plate, wherein the airenclosure, the directional tube, and the speaker tube cooperate to forma static-air space such that air pressure changes in the static-airspace produced by the speaker move the diaphragm; a second plate havinga top, a bottom, and a plurality of through holes, in a spaced apartrelationship with the diaphragm such that a gas enclosure is formedbetween the diaphragm and the bottom of the second plate wherein the airenclosure is isolated from the gas enclosure; and a one-way gas inletport into the gas enclosure attachable to a source of a flammable gas;wherein movement of the diaphragm moves flammable gas in the gasenclosure through the through holes, thereby modulating flames above thetop of the second plate when the flammable gas from the through holes isignited. In one embodiment, at least one of a quantity and size of theplurality of through holes of the second plate may be based on a ratioof sound pressure to through hole pressure. In one embodiment, thesystem may further comprise one or more support positioned such that atleast a portion of the diaphragm is biased toward the second plate

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate one or more implementationsdescribed herein and, together with the description, explain theseimplementations. The drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale, andcertain features and certain views of the figures may be shownexaggerated, to scale or in schematic in the interest of clarity andconciseness. Not every component may be labeled in every drawing. Likereference numerals in the figures may represent and refer to the same orsimilar element or function. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a sound-basedflame modulation system in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective cut-out view of the sound-based flame modulationsystem of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of components of an exemplaryembodiment of a sound-based flame modulation system in accordance withthe present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of components of the sound-based flamemodulation system taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a detail view of a portion of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a detail view of components of an exemplary embodiment of asound-based flame modulation system in accordance with the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of components of the sound-based flamemodulation system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a top plan schematic view of components of the sound-basedflame modulation system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational schematic view of components of thesound-based flame modulation system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,”“including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, areintended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process,method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is notnecessarily limited to only those elements but may include otherelements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary,“or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example,a condition A or B is satisfied by anyone of the following: A is true(or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or notpresent) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (orpresent).

In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elementsand components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely forconvenience and to give a general sense of the inventive concept. Thisdescription should be read to include one or more and the singular alsoincludes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

Further, use of the term “plurality” is meant to convey “more than one”unless expressly stated to the contrary.

As used herein, qualifiers like “substantially,” “about,”“approximately,” and combinations and variations thereof, are intendedto include not only the exact amount or value that they qualify, butalso some slight deviations therefrom, which may be due to manufacturingtolerances, measurement error, wear and tear, stresses exerted onvarious parts, and combinations thereof, for example.

The use of the term “at least one” or “one or more” will be understoodto include one as well as any quantity more than one. In addition, theuse of the phrase “at least one of X, V, and Z” will be understood toinclude X alone, V alone, and Z alone, as well as any combination of X,V, and Z.

The use of ordinal number terminology (i.e., “first”, “second”, “third”,“fourth”, etc.) is solely for the purpose of differentiating between twoor more items and, unless explicitly stated otherwise, is not meant toimply any sequence or order or importance to one item over another orany order of addition.

Finally, as used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in oneembodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-9 illustrate an exemplaryembodiment of a sound-based flame modulation system 10, comprising atleast one speaker tube 12, a first speaker 14, a second speaker 16, afirst directional tube 18, a second directional tube 20, a first plate22, a diaphragm 24 in a spaced apart relationship with the first plate22 forming an air enclosure 26 between the first plate 22 and thediaphragm 24, a second plate 28 in a spaced apart relationship with thediaphragm 24 forming a gas enclosure 30 between the diaphragm 24 and thesecond plate 28, and at least one one-way gas inlet port 32 into the gasenclosure 30. The speaker tube 12, the first directional tube 18, thesecond directional tube 20, and the air enclosure 26 may cooperate toform one or more static-air space 34 within the flame modulation system10.

The speaker tube 12 may have a first end 40, a second end 42, and a wall44 separating the first end 40 and the second end 42. The speaker tube12 may be made of metal, plastic, wood, or other appropriate materialfor directing sound waves and vibration. The speaker tube 12 may becylindrical in shape or may have one or more other geometric shape. Thewall 44 may partially or completely separate the first end 40 from thesecond end 42.

In one embodiment, the first speaker 14 may be positioned at leastpartially in the speaker tube 12 proximate to the first end 40. Thesecond speaker 16 may be positioned at least partially in the speakertube 12 proximate to the second end 42. The first speaker 14 and thesecond speaker 16 may each have a cone 46 with a concave surface 48orientated externally from the speaker tube 12 and a convex surface 50orientated internally in relation to the speaker tube 12. The first andthe second speakers 14, 16 produce sound waves, from both the concavesurfaces 48 of the cones 46 and from the convex surfaces 50 of the cones46 as the cones 46 are moved. The orientation of the cones 46 results inmore sound waves being projected out of the speaker tube 12 than intothe speaker tube 12.

In one embodiment the first speaker 14 and the second speaker 16 mayeach comprise a linear electric motor which uses a voice coil wound ontoa form and energized with electrical current to push and pull thespeaker cone 46 to create sound waves.

Typically, there may be substantially equal force pushing the speakercone 46 as pulling the speaker cone 46. This back-and-forth movement ofthe speaker cones 46 in the speaker tube 12 may create positive andnegative air pressure, respectively, in the static-air space 34.

In one embodiment, the first speaker 14 and/or the second speaker 16 arerated as marine-grade speakers that are designed for outdoor use andresistant to water.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, when the first speaker 14 or the secondspeaker 16 receives audio signals, movement of the cone 46 moves airparticles positioned around the cone 46 away from the cone 46. Those airparticles in turn move the air particles around them, carrying the pulseof the vibration through the air as a traveling disturbance (also knownas sound waves). Movement in a first direction pushes the surroundingair particles (creating positive pressure in the static-air space 34),and then movement away from the first direction pulls on the surroundingair particles, creating a drop in pressure that pulls in moresurrounding air particles, which creates another drop in pressure thatpulls in particles that are even farther out, and so on (creatingnegative pressure in the static-air space 34). In this way, the firstspeaker 14 and/or second speaker 16 send waves of pressure fluctuationthrough the static-air space 34 from the convex surface 50 of the cone46, and the atmosphere from the concave surface 48 of the cone 46, whichis interpreted by the human ear as sound.

A higher sound wave frequency means that the air pressure fluctuatesfaster (which is heard as a higher pitch). A lower sound wave frequencymeans that the air pressure fluctuates more slowly (which is heard as alower pitch). Air-pressure level correlates to the sound wave'samplitude, which determines how loud the sound is. Sound waves withgreater amplitudes are heard as louder sounds.

Though the flame modulation system 10 is described as having twospeakers 14, 16, the flame modulation system 10 may have other numbersof speakers. For example, the flame modulation system 10 may have onespeaker, three speakers, four speakers, five speakers, and so on.

The first speaker 14 and the second speaker 16 are connected to at leastone audio signals source 60. The connection may be wired or wireless.The audio signals source 60 may include, but is not limited to, astereo, a radio, a computer, a portable computing device, a smart phone,a portable music device, and/or a microphone. For explanatory purposes,the audio signals source 60 is shown in the figures as a stereoconnected with wires 62 to the first speaker 14 and the second speaker16. It will be understood that the audio signals source 60 may beseparate from the flame modulation system 10 and/or located in one ormore different locations than the other components of the flamemodulation system 10.

As shown in FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the flame modulation system 10may further include one or more electrical power source 64. Onenonexclusive example of the electrical power source 64 is a batteryand/or a rechargeable battery. The electrical power source 64 may beconnected with wires 66 to the audio signals source 60, for example, tothe stereo, and/or the first speaker 14 and/or the second speaker 16.Alternately, or additionally, the flame modulation system 10 may beconnected to an external electrical power source (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 4, in one embodiment, the first directional tube 18 mayhave a proximal end 70 and a distal end 72, the proximal end 70 openlyconnected to the speaker tube 12 between the first end 40 and the wall44 of the speaker tube 12. The second directional tube 20 may have aproximal end 74 and a distal end 76, the proximal end 74 openlyconnected to the speaker tube 12 between the wall 44 and the second end42 of the speaker tube 12.

Though the flame modulation system 10 is described as having twodirectional tubes 18, 20, the flame modulation system 10 may have adifferent number of directional tubes. For example, the flame modulationsystem 10 may have one directional tube, three directional tubes, fourdirectional tubes, five directional tubes, and so on.

The first plate 22 may have an opening 78 aligned with the distal ends72, 76 of the first directional tube 18 and the second directional tube20 such that air pressure fluctuations (i.e., sound waves) travelthrough the speaker tube 12, the first and the second directional tubes18, 20, the first plate 22, and the air enclosure 26 (i.e. through thestatic-air space 34) to the diaphragm 24.

In one embodiment, the flame modulation system 10 may further comprisean adaptor plate 79 positioned beneath the first plate 22 and having anopening aligned with the opening 78 of the first plate 22 and alignedwith the distal ends 72, 76 of the first directional tube 18 and thesecond directional tube 20.

In one embodiment, the first plate 22 may be in the shape of a pan, thefirst plate 22 having a center portion 23 and a lip 25.

As previously described, the diaphragm 24 is in a spaced apartrelationship with the first plate 22 such that the air enclosure 26 isformed between the diaphragm 24 and the first plate 22. In oneembodiment, the flame modulation system 10 includes a spacer 80 betweenthe diaphragm 24 and the first plate 22. In one embodiment, the spacer80 may be shaped as a frame having an interior surface 82 that, alongwith the diaphragm 24 and the first plate 22, defines the air enclosure26.

In one embodiment, the flame modulation system 10 may further compriseone or more support 81 between the first plate 22 and the diaphragm 24.The one or more support 81 may be positioned such that the diaphragm 24is concave in relation to the first plate 22 and the air enclosure 26.In one embodiment, the one or more support 81 may be positioned suchthat the diaphragm 24 has one or more high point relative to sideportions 83 of the diaphragm 24. The one or more support 81 may bepositioned such that the diaphragm 24 has one or more high points thatare approximately one eighth of one inch higher than the side portions83 of the diaphragm 24 relative to the first plate 22. In oneembodiment, the one or more support 81 may be one or more fastenerpositioned through the adaptor plate 79. In one embodiment, the one ormore support 81 may be a first fastener positioned through a first sideof the adaptor plate 79 and a second fastener positioned through asecond side of the adaptor plate 79.

The one or more support 81 may force the diaphragm 24 to expand in anupward direction (away from the one or more support 81 and the firstplate 22) when the diaphragm 24 is heated. The one or more support 81may prevent the diaphragm 24 from contacting the first plate 22; as suchcontact of the diaphragm 24 with the first plate 22 may cause anundesirable noise.

The diaphragm 24 may act as a passive radiator that further generatessound waves. The diaphragm 24 may be made of a suitably flexible and/orexpandable material. In one embodiment, the diaphragm 24 may befabricated from stainless steel, such as SAE 304 stainless steel.

The positive and negative air pressure generated by the first speaker 14and the second speaker 16 within the static-air space 34 pulls andpushes the diaphragm 24, effectively doubling the movement of thediaphragm 24 since there is a pulling effect on the diaphragm 24 cyclingwith a pushing effect on the diaphragm 24.

Cancellation or muting of sound waves (i.e. air pressure fluctuations)due to interference from other sound waves would reduce the amount ofmovement of the diaphragm 24. Therefore, the wall 44 of the speaker tube12 may separate the sound waves from the first speaker 14 and the soundwaves from the second speaker 16, thus preventing sound waves from thefirst speaker 14 from cancelling or muting sound waves from the secondspeaker 16, and vice versa.

The second plate 28 has a top 84 and a bottom 86. As previouslydescribed, the second plate 28 is in a spaced apart relationship withthe diaphragm 24 such that a gas enclosure 30 is formed between thediaphragm 24 and the bottom 86 of the second plate 28. In oneembodiment, the second plate 28 is shaped to partially form the gasenclosure 30. For example, the second plate 28 may be shaped as a panwith a side 87 extending around a center portion 88. In one embodiment,the second plate 28 may have a lip 89 extending from the side 87.

The second plate 28 has a plurality of through holes 90. In oneembodiment, the second plate 28 has more than 100 through holes 90. Inone embodiment, the second plate 28 has more than 1,000 through holes90. In one embodiment, the second plate 28 has between 1,000 and 2,000through holes 90. In one embodiment, the second plate 28 hasapproximately 1,200 through holes 90. In one embodiment, the secondplate 28 has approximately 1,600 through holes 90.

In one embodiment, the size, shape, and/or quantity of the through holes90 of the second plate 28 may be based at least in part on a desiredpredetermined volumetric flow rate and sensitivity of flow rate changesof the flammable gas 94 through the through holes 90.

A ratio of sound pressure to through hole pressure may be used as atleast part of the determination of the volumetric flow rate andsensitivity of flow rate changes of the flammable gas 94 through thethrough holes 90. As used herein, the term sound pressure means thepressure in the gas enclosure 30 created by the sound waves from thespeaker(s) 14, 16 moving through the air enclosure 26 that move thediaphragm 24 within the gas enclosure 30, producing more or lesspressure on the flammable gas 94 in the gas enclosure 30. The soundpressure may also include the gas source pressure. As used herein, theterm gas source pressure means the resulting pressure within the gasenclosure 30 caused by the input of the flammable gas 94 from the source92 into the gas enclosure 30. As used herein, the term through holepressure means the pressure required to force the flammable gas 94through the through holes 90.

In other words, the size, shape, and/or quantity of through holes 90,the volume of the gas enclosure 30 (which affects the pressure in thegas enclosure 30), the supply and/or flow rate of flammable gas 94 fromthe source 92 (comprising volume and/or pressure and which may becontrolled by the regulator 122), and/or the sound pressure may be usedto control how much of, and how fast, the flammable gas 94 moves throughthe second plate 28 and how much pressure is needed to change the volumeof flammable gas 94 moving through the second plate 94 as sound pressureis applied to the diaphragm 24.

In one embodiment, the size, shape, and/or quantity of through holes 90,the volume of the gas enclosure 30 (which affects the pressure in thegas enclosure), the supply and/or flow rate of flammable gas 94 from thesource 92 (comprising volume and/or pressure and which may be controlledby the regulator 122), and/or the sound pressure may be sized andcontrolled to result in the flammable gas 94 moving through the throughhole 90 at a velocity that produces a flame 102 that is tight (notdiffuse) and that produces a modulation of the volume of the flame 102at low sound pressure (such as that caused by low music volumes and/ormusic without much content with lower sound wave frequency) that isdiscernible by the user.

When the ratio of sound pressure to through hole pressure is above adesired range, excess flammable gas 94 may pass through the throughholes 90, causing undesirable amounts of uncombusted flammable gas 94above the second plate 28, as well as less of a change in height offlames 102 caused by the change in sound waves. For example, changes ata low volume or low frequency of sound waves may not be apparent in theresulting height of the flames 102. When the ratio of sound pressure tothrough hole pressure is below a desired range, flammable gas 94 maycollect in the gas enclosure 30, causing an undesirable pressure andamount of flammable gas 94 in the gas enclosure 30, resulting in smallerflames 102 and less sensitivity of the size of the flames 102 to changesin sound pressure.

In one embodiment, one or more of the through holes 90 of the secondplate 28 may have a diameter between 0.020 and 0.060 inch. In oneembodiment, one or more of the through holes 90 may have a diameter ofapproximately 0.035 inch.

In one embodiment, the second plate 28 may be a cooking surface. In oneembodiment, the flame modulation system 10 includes a grill (not shown)positioned above the second plate 28. The grill may be used as a cookingsurface.

The one-way gas inlet port 32 into the gas enclosure 30 is attachable toa source 92 of a flammable gas 94. Non-exclusive examples of flammablegas 94 include natural gas or propane. The gas inlet port 32 may have acontrol device 95 that, when activated, reduces, increases, or blocksthe flammable gas 94 moving into the gas enclosure 30. In oneembodiment, pressure from the source 92 of the flammable gas 94 may pusha steady amount of flammable gas 94 out of the gas enclosure 30 throughthe through holes 90 of the second plate 28.

In one embodiment, one or more of the through holes 90 of the secondplate 28 may have a diameter of approximately 0.035 inch and the source92 of flammable gas 94 may provide approximately 77,000 BTUs, where BTUis a measurement of the maximum output of the source 92 of the flammablegas 94.

The air enclosure 26, and the static-air space 34, are isolated from thegas enclosure 30 such that gas 94 in the gas enclosure 30 does not enterthe air enclosure 26 or the static-air space 34 and does not come intocontact with the first speaker 14 or the second speaker 16.

As shown in FIG. 5, in one embodiment, the flame modulation system 10may include one or more seal 100 to further isolate the air enclosure 26and the static-air space 34 from the gas enclosure 30. In oneembodiment, the seal 100 may be positioned between the second plate 28and the diaphragm 24. In one embodiment, the seal 100 may be positionedbetween the lip 89 of the second plate 28 and the diaphragm 24. The oneor more seal 100 may be one or more gasket, o-ring, strip, formedelastomer, or other gas-impermeable device and/or material. In oneembodiment, the one or more seal 100 may be a temperature resistantsilicone gasket strip.

In one embodiment, the flame modulation system 10 may further compriseone or more fasteners 104. The one or more fasteners 104 may bepositioned to connect one or more of the first plate 22, the diaphragm24, and the second plate 28.

The movements of the diaphragm 24 push the gas 94 in the gas enclosure30 out of the through holes 90 of the second plate 28. The gas 94 may beignited above the top 84 of the second plate 28 such that flames 102 areproduced.

As the sound waves (i.e. the air pressure fluctuations) produced by thefirst and/or the second speakers 14, 16 change in amplitude andfrequency, the movements of the diaphragm 24 also change in amplitudeand frequency. The changes in the movements of the diaphragm 24 changesthe amount of gas 94 pushed out of the through holes 90 of the secondplate 28, which changes the volume and height of the flames 102 on thetop 84 of the second plate 28. Thus, the amplitude and frequency ofsound from the first and/or the second speakers 14, 16 modulates thevolume and height of the flames 102.

The amount of, and sensitivity of changes in, modulation of the volumeand height of the flames 102 may be based at least in part on the ratioof sound pressure to gas pressure and/or the size, shape, and/orquantity of through holes 90. In one embodiment, the size, shape, and/orquantity of through holes 90 is based at least in part on the effect onthe amount of, and sensitivity of changes in, modulation of the volumeand height of the flames 102. In one embodiment, the size, shape, and/orquantity of through holes 90 is determined so as to create a highsensitivity to changes in modulation of the volume and height of theflames, so that when the sound pressure is low and the changes in soundpressure are accordingly small (for example, when music is played at lowvolume, and/or music is played with mid and high frequencies with littlebass frequencies, through the speakers 14, 16), the modulations of thevolume and height of the flames 102 are still visible to the user.

Since the positive and negative air pressure generated by the firstspeaker 14 and the second speaker 16 within the static-air space 34pulls and pushes the diaphragm 24, effectively doubling the movement ofthe diaphragm 24, the amount of gas 94 pushed out of the through holes90 of the second plate 28 is also effectively doubled.

Additionally, the movements of the diaphragm 24 may produce sound thatmay move out of the through holes 90 of the second plate 28.

In one embodiment, the flame modulation system 10 may include a housing110 encompassing one or more of the other components of the flamemodulation system 10. The housing 110 may have vents 112 and may beconstructed in accordance with safety regulations.

In one embodiment, the housing 110 may include an apron 114 positionedabout the second plate 28.

In one embodiment, the housing 110 may be substantially thermallyisolated from the components of the flame modulation system 10 that areheated. The housing 110 may be substantially thermally isolated from thefirst plate 22, the diaphragm 24, and the second plate 28.

In one embodiment, the housing 110 may have one or more frame member 116and one or more gusset 118 attachable to the frame members 116, such asattachable to the frame members 116 at junctions of the frame members116. In one embodiment, the housing 110 may have a top portion 120 andfour upper substantially horizontal frame members 116 positionedproximate to the top portion 120. The housing 110 may have four gussets118, with one gusset 118 at each junction of the upper substantiallyhorizontal frame members 116.

In one embodiment, the first plate 22 may be at least partiallysupported by contact with the one or more gusset 118. The one or moregusset 118 may thermally isolate the first plate 22, the diaphragm 24,and the second plate 28 from the housing 110. In one embodiment, theflame modulation system 10 may comprise thermally insulating materialsbetween the first plate 22 and the one or more gusset 118 and/or thehousing 110.

In one embodiment, the source 92 of the flammable gas 94 may bepositioned within the housing 110. For example, the source 92 of theflammable gas 94 may be one or more propane canister positioned withinthe housing 110 and attached to the one-way gas inlet port 32. Ofcourse, it will be understood that the source 92 of the flammable gas 94may be external to the housing 110 and/or the flame modulation system10.

When the source 92 of the flammable gas 94, such as one or more propanecanister, is included in the flame modulation system 10, electricalcomponents and/or other components included in the flame modulationsystem 10 may comply with standards for components located in explosiveenvironments. Non-exclusive examples of such standards include standardsand codes developed by the American Petroleum Institute, the NationalFire Protection Association standard (for example, NFPA 57, 2002edition, NFPA 70, and/or NFPA54), the Canadian Standards Association,and the International Electrotechnical Commission. The components and/orthe flame modulation system 10 may also conform to one or more othercodes such as the National Fuel Gas Code (ANSI Z223.1), the PropaneStorage and Handling Code (CSA B149.2), the Standard for RecreationalVehicles (ANSI A 119.2/NFPA 1192), and/or the Recreational Vehicle Code(CSA Z240 RV Series).

In one embodiment, the flame modulation system 10 may comprise one ormore pressure regulator 122. The pressure regulator 122 may regulate thepressure of the flammable gas 94 from the source 92 of the flammable gas94.

In one embodiment, the flame modulation system 10 may be inserted into afire pit, a grilling station, an entertainment unit, a fire placeinsert, or other system in which sound-based flame modulation isdesirable.

In one embodiment, the flame modulation system 10 includes one or morewheels 128 such that the flame modulation system 10 is portable.

In one embodiment, the flame modulation system 10 may further compriseone or more panel 130. The one or more panel 130 may be positionedaround the second plate 28. In one embodiment, the one or more panel 130may be substantially vertical. In one embodiment, the one or more panel130 may be attachable to the apron 114 and/or the housing 110. In oneembodiment, the one or more panel 130 may be made of a substantiallytransparent and heat resistant material, such as tempered glass. The oneor more panel 130 may provide a barrier that substantially blocks orreduces wind gusts from directly reaching the second plate 28 and theflames 102. Additionally the one or more panel 130 may provide aphysical barrier between the users and the flames 102.

In one embodiment, the flame modulation system 10 may comprise one ormore lid 140. The lid 140 may be sized to cover the second plate 28 whenthe flame modulation system 10 is not in use, such that the throughholes 90 are protected from dirt and/or moisture.

In one embodiment, the flame modulation system 10 may comprise one ormore audio signal amplifier 150.

Turning to FIG. 4, an example of one embodiment of the flame modulationsystem 10 in use in accordance with the present disclosure will bedescribed. A user may activate the electrical power source 64, such as abattery, a hard-wired switch connecting the flame modulation system 10to a power source, or a plug into an electrical outlet, and turn on theaudio signals source 60 to activate the first speaker 14 and the secondspeaker 16. The user may begin flow of the gas 94 through the one-waygas inlet port 32 into the gas enclosure 30.

Movement of the cone 46 of the first speaker 14 generates sound waves(i.e. pressure changes) in the surrounding air. The sound waves travelaway from the concave surface 48 of the cone 46 of the first speaker 14into the surrounding air and away from the convex surface 50 of the cone46 of the first speaker 14 into the static-air space 34 within thespeaker tube 12. The sound waves travel through the speaker tube 12, thefirst directional tube 18, and the opening 78 of the first plate 22 intothe air enclosure 26 (i.e., through the static-air space 34), creatingpositive and negative pressure through the static-air space 34. Thepositive pressure and negative pressure act on the diaphragm 24resulting in movement of the diaphragm 24, such as expansion of thediaphragm 24 toward the air enclosure 26 (negative pressure) or into thegas enclosure 30 (positive pressure).

Likewise, movement of the cone 46 of the second speaker 16 generatessound waves in the surrounding air. The sound waves travel away from theconcave surface 48 of the cone 46 of the second speaker 16 into thesurrounding air and away from the convex surface 50 of the cone 46 ofthe second speaker 16 into the static-air space 34 within the speakertube 12. The sound waves travel through the speaker tube 12, the seconddirectional tube 20, and the opening 78 of the first plate 22 into theair enclosure 26 (i.e., through the static-air space 34), creatingpositive and negative pressure through the static-air space 34. Thepositive pressure and negative pressure act on the diaphragm 24resulting in movement of the diaphragm 24, such as expansion of thediaphragm 24 toward the air enclosure 26 (negative pressure) or into thegas enclosure 30 (positive pressure).

The movement and/or expansion of the diaphragm 24 into the gas enclosure30 pushes the gas 94 in the gas enclosure 30 out of the through holes 90of the second plate 28 in time with, and correlated to the intensity of,the sound waves from the first speaker 14 and the second speaker 16.

The gas 94, now above the top 84 of the second plate 28, is ignited toproduce the flames 102. The flames 102 are modulated (for example,increase and decrease in intensity and volume) in conjunction with themovement of the diaphragm 24, which is correlated with the sound wavesfrom the first and second speakers 14, 16.

Movement of the diaphragm 24 within the gas enclosure 30 creates arapidly changing volume of flammable gas 94 in the gas enclosure 30 byforcing the flammable gas 94 out of the gas enclosure 30 via the throughholes 90.

Higher sound wave frequencies from the first speaker 14 and/or thesecond speaker 16 means that the air pressure in the static-air space 34fluctuates faster, moving the diaphragm 24 faster, thus fluctuating theheight of the flames 102 more quickly. Lower sound wave frequencies fromthe first speaker 14 and/or the second speaker 16 means that the airpressure in the static-air space 34 fluctuates more slowly, moving thediaphragm 24 more slowly, thus fluctuating the height of the flames 102more slowly.

Louder sounds from the first speaker 14 and/or the second speaker 16increase the air-pressure in the static-air space 34, increasing themovement of the diaphragm 24, thus forcing the diaphragm 24 further intothe gas enclosure 30, forcing more gas 94 out of the through holes 90 ofthe second plate 28 and causing the flames 102 to flare higher. Quietersounds from the first speaker 14 and/or the second speaker 16 have lessof an increase in, or even produce a decrease of, the air-pressure inthe static-air space 34, thus pushing the diaphragm 24 a lesser amountinto the gas enclosure 30, which forces less (or no) gas 94 out of thethrough holes 90 of the second plate 28 and decreases the height and/orintensity of the flames 102.

While several embodiments of the inventive concepts have been describedfor purposes of this disclosure, it will be understood that numerouschanges may be made which will readily suggest themselves to thoseskilled in the art and which are accomplished within the spirit of theinventive concepts disclosed and as defined in the appended claims.

CONCLUSION

Conventionally, coordinating sound with flame effects has been a timeintensive and/or dangerous endeavor. In accordance with the presentdisclosure, these problems are addressed with systems and methods forsound-based flame modulation.

The foregoing description provides illustration and description, but isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the inventive concepts to theprecise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible inlight of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of themethodologies set forth in the present disclosure.

Even though particular combinations of features are recited in theclaims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are notintended to limit the disclosure. In fact, many of these features may becombined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and/or disclosedin the specification. Although each dependent claim listed below maydirectly depend on only one other claim, the disclosure includes eachdependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set.

No element, act, or instruction used in the present application shouldbe construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitlydescribed as such outside of the preferred embodiment. Further, thephrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on”unless explicitly stated otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sound-based flame modulation system,comprising: a speaker tube having a first end, a second end, and a wallseparating the first end and the second end; a first speaker positionedat least partially in the speaker tube proximate to the first end andhaving a cone with a concave surface orientated externally from thespeaker tube; a second speaker positioned at least partially in thespeaker tube proximate to the second end and having a cone with aconcave surface orientated externally from the speaker tube; a firstdirectional tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximalend openly connected to the speaker tube between the first end and thewall of the speaker tube; a second directional tube having a proximalend and a distal end, the proximal end openly connected to the speakertube between the wall and the second end of the speaker tube; a firstplate having an opening aligned with the distal ends of the firstdirectional tube and the second directional tube such that a passagewayis formed through the first plate; a diaphragm in a spaced apartrelationship with the first plate such that an air enclosure is formedbetween the diaphragm and the first plate, wherein the air enclosure,the first directional tube, the second directional tube, and the speakertube cooperate to form a static-air space such that air pressure changesin the static-air space produced by the first speaker and the secondspeaker move the diaphragm; a second plate having a top, a bottom, and aplurality of through holes, in a spaced apart relationship with thediaphragm such that a gas enclosure is formed between the diaphragm andthe bottom of the second plate wherein the air enclosure is isolatedfrom the gas enclosure; and a one-way gas inlet port into the gasenclosure attachable to a source of a flammable gas; wherein movement ofthe diaphragm moves flammable gas in the gas enclosure through thethrough holes, thereby modulating flames above the top of the secondplate when the flammable gas from the through holes is ignited.
 2. Thesound-based flame modulation system of claim 1, further comprising anaudio signals source.
 3. The sound-based flame modulation system ofclaim 2, wherein the audio signals source is one or more of a stereo, aradio, a computer, a portable computing device, a smart phone, aportable music device, and a microphone.
 4. The sound-based flamemodulation system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of through holes ofthe second plate is more than 100 through holes.
 5. The sound-basedflame modulation system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of throughholes of the second plate is between 1,000 and 2,000 through holes. 6.The sound-based flame modulation system of claim 1, wherein at least oneof a quantity and size of the plurality of through holes of the secondplate is based on a ratio of sound pressure to through hole pressure. 7.The sound-based flame modulation system of claim 1, further comprisingat least one substantially vertical panel positioned proximate to thesecond plate.
 8. The sound-based flame modulation system of claim 1,wherein at least one of the first plate and the second plate is a panhaving a center portion and a lip.
 9. The sound-based flame modulationsystem of claim 1, further comprising a housing containing the firstplate, the diaphragm, and the second plate, and wherein the first plate,the diaphragm, and the second plate are substantially thermally isolatedfrom the housing.
 10. A method, comprising the steps of: generating airpressure fluctuations in a static-air space with a first speakerpositioned at least partially in the static-air space defined by aspeaker tube having a first end, a second end, and a wall separating thefirst end and the second end, a first directional tube with a proximalend openly connected to the speaker tube between the first end and thewall, a second directional tube with a proximal end openly connected tothe speaker tube between the wall and the second end, and an airenclosure defined by a first plate and a diaphragm, the first platehaving an opening receiving distal ends of the first directional tubeand the second directional tube, wherein the first speaker is proximateto the first end of the speaker tube and has a cone with a concavesurface orientated externally from the speaker tube; generating airpressure fluctuations in the static-air space with a second speakerpositioned at least partially in the static-air space, wherein thesecond speaker is proximate to the second end of the speaker tube andhas a cone with a concave surface orientated externally from the speakertube; inserting flammable gas through a one-way gas inlet port into agas enclosure formed between the diaphragm and a second plate having atop, a bottom, and a plurality of through holes, wherein the gasenclosure is isolated from the air enclosure and the static-air space;and modulating flames above the top of the second plate by regulatingflow of the flammable gas in the gas enclosure through the throughholes, based on movement of the diaphragm controlled by the air pressurefluctuations in the static-air space generated by the first speaker andthe second speaker.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein generating airpressure fluctuations further comprises generating audio signals from anaudio signals source.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the audiosignals source is one or more of a stereo, a radio, a computer, aportable computing device, a smart phone, a portable music device, and amicrophone.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of throughholes of the second plate is more than 100 through holes.
 14. The methodof claim 10, wherein the plurality of through holes of the second plateis between 1,000 and 2,000 through holes.
 15. The method of claim 10,wherein at least one of a quantity and size of the plurality of throughholes of the second plate is based on a ratio of sound pressure tothrough hole pressure.
 16. The method of claim 10, wherein at least oneof the first plate and the second plate is a pan having a center portionand a lip.
 17. The method of claim 10, further comprising thermallyisolating the first plate, the diaphragm, and the second plate from ahousing containing the first plate, the diaphragm, and the second plate.18. A sound-based flame modulation system, comprising: a speaker tubehaving a first end and a second end; a speaker positioned at leastpartially in the speaker tube proximate to the first end and having acone with a concave surface orientated externally from the speaker tube;a directional tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximalend openly connected to the speaker tube between the first end and thesecond end of the speaker tube; a first plate having an opening alignedwith the distal end of the directional tube such that a passageway isformed through the first plate; a diaphragm in a spaced apartrelationship with the first plate such that an air enclosure is formedbetween the diaphragm and the first plate, wherein the air enclosure,the directional tube, and the speaker tube cooperate to form astatic-air space such that air pressure changes in the static-air spaceproduced by the speaker move the diaphragm; a second plate having a top,a bottom, and a plurality of through holes, in a spaced apartrelationship with the diaphragm such that a gas enclosure is formedbetween the diaphragm and the bottom of the second plate wherein the airenclosure is isolated from the gas enclosure; and a one-way gas inletport into the gas enclosure attachable to a source of a flammable gas;wherein movement of the diaphragm moves flammable gas in the gasenclosure through the through holes, thereby modulating flames above thetop of the second plate when the flammable gas from the through holes isignited.
 19. The sound-based flame modulation system of claim 18,wherein at least one of a quantity and size of the plurality of throughholes of the second plate is based on a ratio of sound pressure tothrough hole pressure.
 20. The sound-based flame modulation system ofclaim 18, further comprising one or more support positioned such that atleast a portion of the diaphragm is biased toward the second plate.